California Grown, Plein Air Exhibition

San Diego farmers and farms are the focus of "California Grown, Plein Air" exhibition at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center May 17 – June 20, 2025.

In the Spring of 2025, plein air painters from around San Diego County painted at farms, documenting the diverse types of farms in the region. Juror Katie Stokes, the editor of Edible San Diego Magazine, will select her favorite artworks during the reception, Saturday May 17 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"Edible San Diego magazine has been celebrating local food in farms and gardens for 17 years. Our region's many beautiful valleys, hills, creeks, rich history and diverse plant and animal life make it a haven to grow food or enjoy the harvests of farmers, ranchers and fishers. We are delighted to support this show and the Bonita Historical Society to share the artists' perspectives and talents on this delicious topic."- Katie Stokes

Artists in the exhibition include:

Liz Abeyta, Andrew ‘Drew’ Bandish, Lorraine Marie Cote, Brian Gibson,

Rose Irelan, Margaret Larlham, Chrysanne Lowe, Frankie Martin,

Doreen Mattingly, Carmelita Molina, Michelle Montrose, Kathryn Peterson,

Nina Pierson, Indu Ramkumar, Elisabeth Refn, Jenny Rivera, Sarah Sullivan,

Valorie Thompson, Joyce Trinh and Mehl Lawson

Sketchbooks by members of San Diego Urban Sketchers will also be featured in the exhibition.

Farms and regions featured in the exhibition include:

Coastal Roots Farm, Highland Valley Oranges, Stein Family Farm, Rafferty Farms,

Rancho del Sol, Point Loma Lighthouse Keeper's Kitchen Garden,

San Diego Lavender Fields, Poway Farmers Market, Wild Willow Farm,

Tierrasanta Community Garden, Coastal Garden, Kitchen Garden on the Pier,

Carlsbad Flower Fields, Rohr Park

A Paint-Out in Bonita will be with artist Mehl Lawson on Friday, May 16th. Participants can meet at the museum at 9 a.m. to find maps and coffee for the paint-out. Artwork from the paint-out will be displayed for sale in the “wet gallery”.

Artist Rose Irelan will be leading a plein air painting workshop on Friday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required through the museum website on the exhibitions page. Participants can also register by calling 619 267-5141.

The Bonita Museum & Cultural Center is located at 4355 Bonita Road in Bonita California. Hours are Wednesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission and parking at the museum.

Visit: https://bonitahistoricalsociety.org/ca-grown-plein-air-2025/

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